tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44613088686781203812017-07-23T02:25:15.313-07:00The Non Traditional MomKathrynnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-5588288188766698582013-11-10T08:26:00.001-08:002013-11-10T08:31:32.336-08:00When Every Straw Feels Like the Last<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oJkn3Gzc9fk/Un-zq3smDuI/AAAAAAAAAiE/6TW0Vqtlgvw/s640/blogger-image--581692462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oJkn3Gzc9fk/Un-zq3smDuI/AAAAAAAAAiE/6TW0Vqtlgvw/s640/blogger-image--581692462.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>In the last 12 months, we have built a house, moved, had a baby, an asthma diagnosis, paid $4500 in deductibles, started Kindergarten, changed flooring and paint in another house, moved again...all pretty major life events. By the grace of God, we survived them all, sanity (relatively) intact.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>But lately, y'all. Lately, the little things have been so heavy.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The constant volume of laundry, the amount of cooking and dishes, the cleaning up after tornado-Kam, the never ending fight of handing anxiety to God, the asthma learning curve, the fear of missing something with severe asthma care, the non stop work of a photographer's Fall, the need to encourage Kyle instead of taking out frustration on him, the need to be a patient, calm momma when the mess and whines make me want to scream...all the ladies reading this know I could go on and on.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Each little thing has been hard this week, and I feel like I'm not doing a good job...not keeping up with anything...simply not enough. I want to whine and cry just like my sweet five year old tends to do after 8:00 PM. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>My chest fills, breaths shorten, &nbsp;eyes begin to well, and as the tears overflow and run down my cheek, I feel the Holy Spirit reminding me all these daily struggles are part of a big blessing. I focus. &nbsp;I could be crafting, in a perfectly organized, alphabetized, bacteria--and snot--free, beautifully decorated craft room. I could get 8 hours of rest every night, and work out an hour every day. I could have dates with my hunky husband each week, and we could have friends we spent uninterrupted time with playing cards, and games. Without three kids under five, that would be my life. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Neat, pretty, rested.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So my emotions shift, my heart melts, and I am humbled to tears of gratitude for the blessings of my children. The blessings of a mess made by kids at play. The blessing of exhaustion due to loving sick or hungry babies through the night. The blessing of learning about health complications in my very much alive 2 year old. The blessing of an empty savings account and arms full of a baby boy. The blessing of making the few quiet moments each day with the love of my life, my partner in our adventure, special even though those moments lack any degree of extravagance. The blessing of a paying job with flexible hours, that I enjoy.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I fail everyday. God redeems and forgives me, and picks me up as I try again. I will keep reaching, crying out to Him, because these blessings revolve around Him, and NOT my work or ability.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30</div><div><br></div><div>Simply, what do I want in my life? I want my family. I want joyful Children, and a full marriage. I want a grateful spirit. I want more than organization, success, and outer perfection! It begins--and never ends--with a chasing after Christ.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So, I will continue to pursue, mind and body weary, because true joy and peace comes only from Him.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Can you pray for me today? Can you tell me how I can pray for you? Can we come together to encourage and uplift, rather than judge and compare? After all, straws CAN break our backs, but what if we weave our straws to strands, and bring our strands together to become unbreakable cords? (Ecclesiastes 4:12) None of us can master what God has for us without Him, and without the encouragement and honesty of fellow believers! &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We need Him, we need one another. Here's to teamwork. Here's to hope :)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-74407516624106708442013-11-04T15:57:00.001-08:002013-11-04T15:57:45.050-08:00The Christmas Super-mini Mini DetailsIn the name of all that's merry and bright, the name of value, the name of gratitude, even the name of change, I am excited to share details for the <b>Christmas Super-mini Mini Sessions!</b><div><br></div><div>These are super quick, super affordable, and super practical shoots. Here's the deal:</div><div><br></div><div>These will be done in my home studio in front of a white background. This set up will look great with bright, holiday colors, or muted, vintage inspired hues! &nbsp;You receive two images, and the print release to both. You let me know if you want one family, and one of children, or two of the family. The session will only last 5 or 10 minutes. Come in, meet and greet, take your pretty pictures, and we're done! &nbsp;The pictures will be available before Thanksgiving--plenty of time for you to print your cards and gifts :) Dates: November 9, and 23. Cost is $60.</div><div><br></div><div>Why the hugely discounted price? Normally two print releases+sitting fee would be $135. With these, we are indoors, and I'm fully editing 2 images--not 20-30 images, so I am not spending as much time on each shoot. Make sense?&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This <b>Christmas Super-mini Mini</b> is short and sweet, and gives you the necessities at a fab price. I've never done a mini quite like this before, so your response in booking is what I will go by in deciding to do more in the future! Ok...message on the Facebook page, or text to book!!&nbsp;</div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-23290367065693402462013-09-19T20:48:00.000-07:002013-09-20T16:36:21.315-07:0022 Lou Give Away<div style="text-align: center;">I am SO excited about this new shop in Paragould.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No...you don't understand...I am extremely, immensely, 1000% excited!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Somehow, despite the down economy, boutiques seem to be popping up everywhere. &nbsp;I think it's pretty great, because I appreciate small businesses (ya know...since I own one), but with all the inventory, how can a brand new shop stand out...and cause so much excitement?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originality.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When Elisa first contacted <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kathrynricheyphotos" target="_blank">me </a>about doing a shoot for her new boutique, I was hesitant. &nbsp;It's not what I normally do, and I didn't know if our style and taste would match. &nbsp;I'm so happy I didn't just say, "No, I'm sorry, that's not what I do. &nbsp;I shoot babies." &nbsp;Elisa is very welcoming, and we learned that we approach our businesses similarly; keep the quality high, prices manageable, and the style fresh. &nbsp;I'm glad to be a part of this store in a small way, and I'm very hopeful that 22 Lou is a smash in Paragould.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">22 Lou (located across from Brick Oven in Paragould) sells clothing, accessories, jewelry, housewares, even bath products. &nbsp;The sweet sisters behind this gem of a boutique strive not only to provide quality, stylish items at affordable prices (no clothing over $50, jeans as low as $28), but also do their best to support local vendors. They like to use designers from the Natural State, and artists from the area for as many needs as possible. &nbsp;Who doesn't appreciate people who try to keep business local? :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">22 Lou opens Friday, September 20th. &nbsp;Come check it out! &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the meantime, let me give you an idea of why 22 Lou is so great...Give away details at the bottom of this post :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBdMv4dX9oE/Uju7wOy6lCI/AAAAAAAAAhE/H44eXlk_nVw/s1600/diptech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBdMv4dX9oE/Uju7wOy6lCI/AAAAAAAAAhE/H44eXlk_nVw/s640/diptech.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_vzsTS07TA/Uju7rmd-25I/AAAAAAAAAg4/_E-0oSP2ic4/s1600/ambianceedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_vzsTS07TA/Uju7rmd-25I/AAAAAAAAAg4/_E-0oSP2ic4/s640/ambianceedit.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously..what would Johnny do? &nbsp;(throw pillow, vintage record player as decoration, wide variety of scarfs, teacups, throw pillow, picture frame)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGzAm2B02po/Uju8EXEg8xI/AAAAAAAAAhU/BBoYOQ0BHK8/s1600/watches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGzAm2B02po/Uju8EXEg8xI/AAAAAAAAAhU/BBoYOQ0BHK8/s640/watches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWY3zZIFR0U/Uju734PNinI/AAAAAAAAAhM/_4ZVALCpCCY/s1600/sweaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWY3zZIFR0U/Uju734PNinI/AAAAAAAAAhM/_4ZVALCpCCY/s640/sweaters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ3WqvCK1JM/Uju-hAsf-nI/AAAAAAAAAhk/RqP156J0AqY/s1600/bottoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ3WqvCK1JM/Uju-hAsf-nI/AAAAAAAAAhk/RqP156J0AqY/s640/bottoms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPF0XyssRvw/UjvCMpSa_nI/AAAAAAAAAhw/d3eV2xTI6j8/s1600/bb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPF0XyssRvw/UjvCMpSa_nI/AAAAAAAAAhw/d3eV2xTI6j8/s640/bb2.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit of everything (boot socks, housewares display, candle sticks, top, 22 Lou necklace, soaps, headbands made by a Jonesboro crafter, top)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have to share this, as well.... &nbsp;It turns out that our families go WAY back. &nbsp;The lady in the middle of this Golden Tones album is my grandmother, and Elisa's aunt and &nbsp;uncle are on the right! &nbsp;Pretty neat :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRGk1ZAYsGs/Uju8QqC9crI/AAAAAAAAAhc/OQYllKziCHE/s1600/golden+tone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRGk1ZAYsGs/Uju8QqC9crI/AAAAAAAAAhc/OQYllKziCHE/s640/golden+tone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">22 Lou/Kathryn Richey Photos Give Away</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">$30 Gift Certificate to 22 Lou</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">AND</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">$30 Gift Certificate to Kathryn Richey Photos</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Drawing Friday, September 27th</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">To enter:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1) Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/22louboutique" target="_blank">22 Lou's Facebook Page</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2) Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kathrynricheyphotos" target="_blank">Kathryn Richey Photos' Facebook Page</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">3) Share <a href="https://www.facebook.com/22louboutique/posts/631773236844346?notif_t=like" target="_blank">22 Lou's post </a>to this article</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">4) Come by 22 Lou, and tell Elisa or Ali you liked, shared, and want to enter the Give Away drawing</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Winner* will be announced Friday the 27th!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>*Upon drawing a name, we will check to ensure the contestant "likes" both Facebook pages, and shared the link :)</div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-86308891374913191972013-09-15T19:28:00.000-07:002013-09-15T19:28:37.704-07:0025 FREE Christmas Cards for Fall Family Sessions!In our world of social media, digital everything, and constant text/Facebook/E-mail messages, how exciting is it to actually receive a piece of mail with a hand written address? &nbsp;I know I always get ancy to see what's inside! &nbsp;With Christmas coming up, we all have the perfect excuse to brighten the day of someone we love with a hand written address on the envelope holding a card with a Christmas greeting, and pictures of our smiling families! <br /><br />I'm doing my part to make that easier than ever ;)<br /><br />Every single Fall Family Session done in 2013 will receive 25 custom Christmas cards for NO CHARGE :) &nbsp;You can always order more if you have a jumbo family, like me. &nbsp;These aren't just your everyday cards either...no ma'am!<br /><br />These cards are heavy card stock and come in pearl, linen, felt, or classic paper finishes. &nbsp;The cards are front and back, and include a foil lined envelope. <br /><br />Here's our card front from 2012...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hX6QV_Qu--g/UjZoUVsn4OI/AAAAAAAAAf0/4k3c7IxyyiY/s1600/2012+Christmas+card+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hX6QV_Qu--g/UjZoUVsn4OI/AAAAAAAAAf0/4k3c7IxyyiY/s640/2012+Christmas+card+front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />...and I can honestly say, each person I sent this to made sure to tell me how much they appreciated it, and most put it up in the house long after Christmas passed! <br /><br />Simple gestures can mean so much :) &nbsp;Journey over to the <a href="http://thenontradmom.blogspot.com/2013/09/pricing-page.html" target="_blank">pricing page</a>, then send me an <a href="mailto:kathrynrichey@live.com" target="_blank">email </a>or<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kathrynricheyphotos" target="_blank"> Facebook</a> message, and get on the schedule to enjoy your family portrait session experience! Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-48596100890351383812013-09-15T19:25:00.000-07:002013-09-18T12:53:32.411-07:00Pricing Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the details on making your session a reality! &nbsp;To book, the $60 session fee is due and can be paid by card, check, or PayPal. &nbsp;When it is your time in the spotlight--your session--a portrait deposit in the amount of $100 is due, and is fully applied to whatever you order. &nbsp;Proofs are made available in an online album 2-3 weeks after the shoot, and your order and payment are due 2 weeks after the proof album is opened. &nbsp;Order sessions are available for those who have any trouble deciding what their bare walls need! The minimum order is $150, and can be paid by card, cash, check or PayPal. &nbsp;Have more questions? &nbsp;<a href="mailto:kathrynrichey@live.com" target="_blank">Email me</a> at kathrynrichey@live.com or send a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kathrynricheyphotos" target="_blank">Facebook</a> message!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for the interest! &nbsp;Hope to work with you soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2HEFpyV80k/UjZpxAnYmRI/AAAAAAAAAgA/T3EqGzQzyVI/s1600/2013+Session+fee+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2HEFpyV80k/UjZpxAnYmRI/AAAAAAAAAgA/T3EqGzQzyVI/s640/2013+Session+fee+list.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GiWffx9gHY/UjoEqxuunwI/AAAAAAAAAgo/fKqjCrXWMcE/s1600/2013+Price+List1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GiWffx9gHY/UjoEqxuunwI/AAAAAAAAAgo/fKqjCrXWMcE/s640/2013+Price+List1.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HB2CP5BvI/UjZp1SVj-aI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/PGT8YtsbcWw/s1600/2013+Packages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HB2CP5BvI/UjZp1SVj-aI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/PGT8YtsbcWw/s640/2013+Packages.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See examples of the following grouping packages on my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/nontradmom/always-room-for-more-pictures/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board</a>&nbsp;(and don't forget to follow me!).&nbsp;Direct link<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/82753711874837126/" target="_blank"> here</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFXz3LSOqww/UjZp2x4KjdI/AAAAAAAAAgY/ab3F-6Mf9nQ/s1600/2013+Grouping+Packages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFXz3LSOqww/UjZp2x4KjdI/AAAAAAAAAgY/ab3F-6Mf9nQ/s640/2013+Grouping+Packages.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br />Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-75479577706589547912013-09-13T10:32:00.000-07:002013-09-13T10:32:56.183-07:00Darius | 1 Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr. Darius came to see me, and stole my heart! &nbsp;We had so much fun...he made me excited for my little man to be this big! &nbsp;Enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7rnNmprji8/UjNJ3iEhEdI/AAAAAAAAAfY/V-C4vuQKN1Q/s1600/m05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7rnNmprji8/UjNJ3iEhEdI/AAAAAAAAAfY/V-C4vuQKN1Q/s640/m05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVmPBl50UNU/UjNJtxVXWGI/AAAAAAAAAes/g_EbjKXFRGI/s1600/1m5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVmPBl50UNU/UjNJtxVXWGI/AAAAAAAAAes/g_EbjKXFRGI/s640/1m5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2nIg2NmAT8/UjNJvkNOoCI/AAAAAAAAAe0/r6O_XiA8C8A/s1600/22m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2nIg2NmAT8/UjNJvkNOoCI/AAAAAAAAAe0/r6O_XiA8C8A/s640/22m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgRX573n_yU/UjNJwb6EZSI/AAAAAAAAAe8/zktPruCM-0s/s1600/25m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgRX573n_yU/UjNJwb6EZSI/AAAAAAAAAe8/zktPruCM-0s/s640/25m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SdL3yTqfTg/UjNJ3UMUwqI/AAAAAAAAAfM/O_th0xM3DG0/s1600/29m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SdL3yTqfTg/UjNJ3UMUwqI/AAAAAAAAAfM/O_th0xM3DG0/s640/29m.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAnZmrE4L9c/UjNJ81WPqkI/AAAAAAAAAfk/DCoELL1-pLE/s1600/m35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAnZmrE4L9c/UjNJ81WPqkI/AAAAAAAAAfk/DCoELL1-pLE/s640/m35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>&nbsp;<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBRvbIGv0-Y/UjNJ25LltpI/AAAAAAAAAfI/OF6hmRzzEgc/s1600/41m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBRvbIGv0-Y/UjNJ25LltpI/AAAAAAAAAfI/OF6hmRzzEgc/s640/41m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Wbzqi4ScXU/UjNJ71FpYQI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qywJpflmwCI/s1600/m1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Wbzqi4ScXU/UjNJ71FpYQI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qywJpflmwCI/s640/m1425.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-22960564162398316462013-09-13T10:16:00.000-07:002013-09-13T10:16:47.716-07:00Anna + Tracy 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These. Girls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been shooting them since I began my business, and every year they return with more personality, more smiles, and more of that thick beautiful hair! &nbsp;I so enjoy these two little ladies :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KF89-JGHF_4/UjNEiLz9FDI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Cv9xNCkDxp0/s1600/blog08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KF89-JGHF_4/UjNEiLz9FDI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Cv9xNCkDxp0/s640/blog08.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkEAsOkO15U/UjNGbvuqKQI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ys6hsGjPeJ4/s1600/09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkEAsOkO15U/UjNGbvuqKQI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ys6hsGjPeJ4/s640/09.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rAdyrQcEIM/UjNEhnQ5pfI/AAAAAAAAAd8/qULYy3XRUpU/s1600/blog14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rAdyrQcEIM/UjNEhnQ5pfI/AAAAAAAAAd8/qULYy3XRUpU/s640/blog14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5htw7do3wLY/UjNEkn6-TkI/AAAAAAAAAeM/mAgHvgq00mw/s1600/blog47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5htw7do3wLY/UjNEkn6-TkI/AAAAAAAAAeM/mAgHvgq00mw/s640/blog47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjc9iS_707w/UjNElRfMwOI/AAAAAAAAAeU/zDrXF6iSx-M/s1600/e690-blogboard-size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjc9iS_707w/UjNElRfMwOI/AAAAAAAAAeU/zDrXF6iSx-M/s640/e690-blogboard-size.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-39226563311834059382013-09-13T09:46:00.001-07:002013-09-13T09:49:09.745-07:00Pacey | 9 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;If you follow me on Facebook, you may remember this shot....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_76a7filXE8/UjM-jgUz8TI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VcqJLTR-RtY/s1600/fb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_76a7filXE8/UjM-jgUz8TI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VcqJLTR-RtY/s640/fb11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Or this one...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prgWMPP7Lkk/UjM-m2ovH3I/AAAAAAAAAdg/Q2xFZaDSMaE/s1600/fb13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prgWMPP7Lkk/UjM-m2ovH3I/AAAAAAAAAdg/Q2xFZaDSMaE/s640/fb13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Each are faves of mine, and each are of Miss Pacey. She is a sweet, smiley little lady, so it's no wonder her nine month shoot was just as special as her three and six month shoots!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rRBDYz5B4S4/UjM9ZavTftI/AAAAAAAAAc0/8Vnq_rh-ahQ/s1600/blog13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rRBDYz5B4S4/UjM9ZavTftI/AAAAAAAAAc0/8Vnq_rh-ahQ/s640/blog13.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u0y0h2Aab5c/UjM9db2InfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/w0FiRWMl8Pg/s1600/blog33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u0y0h2Aab5c/UjM9db2InfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/w0FiRWMl8Pg/s640/blog33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oZHpgIrL4s/UjM9agGOEqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/rDlANXDl5DM/s1600/blog21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oZHpgIrL4s/UjM9agGOEqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/rDlANXDl5DM/s640/blog21.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDw0h8OROEI/UjM9auNU2_I/AAAAAAAAAdA/ELk7OIZotb0/s1600/blog19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDw0h8OROEI/UjM9auNU2_I/AAAAAAAAAdA/ELk7OIZotb0/s640/blog19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h99Kd_O_lg0/UjNAkjdWEcI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ZgDVJSeP7OY/s1600/fb15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h99Kd_O_lg0/UjNAkjdWEcI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ZgDVJSeP7OY/s640/fb15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One more oldie of Pacey and her beautiful momma from 6 months...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsD3NhRaIZA/UjNA1JGQ35I/AAAAAAAAAdw/bmQ6YMTuILs/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsD3NhRaIZA/UjNA1JGQ35I/AAAAAAAAAdw/bmQ6YMTuILs/s640/23.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-89314851397074354432013-02-09T00:41:00.000-08:002013-02-09T00:42:33.245-08:00Stand for SomethingI've droned on about the <a href="http://thenontradmom.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-of-two-kinds.html" target="_blank">differences in my two girls</a> before, so I won't&nbsp;elaborate&nbsp;too much on it here. &nbsp;I will just mention that Kamryn is my strong willed, stand up to anyone, you're-not-messing-with-me girl, while Kyndall is my gentle, compassionate, you-can-have-my-cookie, lady. &nbsp;I don't worry about Kamryn be taken advantage of, I worry about her taking advantage of others. &nbsp;I don't worry about Kyndall being hateful to others, I worry about Kyndall being run over by stronger willed people.<br /><br /><a href="http://thenontradmom.blogspot.com/2013/02/expenses-down-freedom-up.html" target="_blank">My last post</a> was all about saving moola, and if you have a chance you should check it out :) &nbsp;With some of the money available from cut expenses, we signed Miss Kyn up for ballet and tap lessons. &nbsp;For all who know me, I know....my daughter is a girly girl who adores dance. &nbsp;It's crazy, but I honestly am loving it. &nbsp;I did my best to find a studio that was NOT Dance Mom-esque. &nbsp;Ugh. &nbsp;I don't want to mess with all that <strike>crap </strike>drama. We found <a href="http://www.atime2dancestudio.com/default.html" target="_blank">an adorable studio in Paragould </a>that opened last fall, is taught by a super sweet lady who has a ton of experience in dance, and has a classic atmosphere with mirrors, pink walls, and a ballet bar. &nbsp;Simple. Classic. Just right. &nbsp;<br /><br />We began a month ago, and Kyndall is really getting the hang of it. &nbsp;I knew from the first lesson we had likely found *her thing*, from the look on her face when the sweet teacher taught the first move. &nbsp;Are they called moves? &nbsp;Positions? &nbsp;Steps? &nbsp;I honestly would be a terrible Dance Mom. &nbsp;I'm ignorant about dance. &nbsp;But Kyndall....goodness. Her entire countenance just lights up at every practice, and with every step she learns.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ManGXtOe5Iw/URYJ4DXQKHI/AAAAAAAAAbY/HgnV1TLXTbU/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ManGXtOe5Iw/URYJ4DXQKHI/AAAAAAAAAbY/HgnV1TLXTbU/s640/photo+(9).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpKubRVvh-0/URYJ65_SK7I/AAAAAAAAAbg/xuui570uA3k/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpKubRVvh-0/URYJ65_SK7I/AAAAAAAAAbg/xuui570uA3k/s640/photo+(8).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that form :)</td></tr></tbody></table>This week in tap, they learned the first few 8-counts of their recital number. &nbsp;After practicing basics, and before beginning steps in the dance, the teacher announced, "Alright, we are going to listen to the music for your recital piece! &nbsp;You girls can just listen to the music this first time."<br /><br />There are four girls in this tap class. &nbsp;The girl on the right and left of Kyndall immediately sat down, and Kyndall looked at each of them, slowly beginning to squat, when she realized the fourth girl was still standing. &nbsp;She straightened her knees, gave her mirror image a grin, and stood tall. &nbsp;About ten seconds later, the other standing deary sat down, too. <br /><br />I realize I over analyze evvvvverything, but in this moment I thought about how telling her next action would be. &nbsp;My fears of her being a follower, being scared to stand up for herself, being concerned more about what others think than what she wants to do or knows is right, all began to bubble in my brain. &nbsp;She wanted to stand up. &nbsp;I knew that from the look she gave the mirror when she realized all the girls weren't sitting. &nbsp;But would she continue standing while the other girls were sitting? <br /><br />My brain was heavy with thoughts, and my heart full of anxiety, over this tiny little matter. <br /><br />Sit or stand?<br /><br />She immediately noticed the last girl's decision to sit. &nbsp;The mirror allowed me to see her wheels turning as she contemplated what to do, until a resolution crossed her face in an all out smile. &nbsp;She squared her shoulders to the mirror, pulled the corners of her little skirt up in a semi-curtsy, and gleefully smiled, as she continued standing. &nbsp;Her teacher let out a little laugh saying, "You can sit down to listen to the music...(and Kyndall stood even more confidently)....or stand! &nbsp;Standing is great, too!" <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKFBz-3pj7U/URYJ2EBE07I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Xn5huH1o_SI/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKFBz-3pj7U/URYJ2EBE07I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Xn5huH1o_SI/s640/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My stander-upper</td></tr></tbody></table>I know this doesn't mean that she will always stand for what she wants, needs, or even believes in. &nbsp;I realize she may have only stood because she loves to look at herself in that little skirt. &nbsp;Even with that knowledge, I felt such a hope....such a reassurance that maybe there are things I am trying to instill in her that she is taking in. &nbsp;Maybe a little bit of my will, and Kyle's do-the-right-thing way are getting in there. &nbsp;Maybe she will be a leader, and a little lady who is confident in herself, and what she knows to be right.<br /><br />I will keep praying my prayers over her, full of requests for all of these character traits. I will continue to pray for Kamryn to learn self control and when to sit, haha. &nbsp;I'll just never forget that image of all the other girls comfortably sitting, and Kyndall standing proud, and all alone. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbRUJxbP5yY/URYJ1oH03zI/AAAAAAAAAbI/ZeoTKAObabE/s1600/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbRUJxbP5yY/URYJ1oH03zI/AAAAAAAAAbI/ZeoTKAObabE/s640/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girlies.....Little sis doing whatever big sis does</td></tr></tbody></table>I really love mommyhood :)Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-18090814513869140802013-02-06T12:48:00.000-08:002013-02-09T00:42:23.959-08:00Expenses Down, Freedom Up!I constantly stress I am no expert, and I want to make that abundantly clear with this post! &nbsp;We have made our share of <strike>completely stupid</strike> bad decisions in our financial life, but we have been working the last three years to leave all that behind. &nbsp;With every debt paid, every expense lowered, we breathe a little easier.<br /><div><br /></div><div>We still eat out, we still buy (some) new clothes, I tried extreme couponing for a couple months and realized I'd rather play with my girls than sit at a coupon notebook/computer/stack of sale bills in my free time. &nbsp;I'm not saying there is anything wrong with doing any of those things, but we just didn't want to cut back in those areas. &nbsp;Here are a few things [that you probably already know] we did to really cut our expenses back:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) <b>Apply for income based repayment on student loans</b> - Especially if you have children, you can likely get your loans cut back by hundreds of dollars per month. &nbsp;Neat fact...if you are granted any reduction due to income based repayment for twenty years, whatever debt remains after the 20th year is forgiven! &nbsp;FORGIVEN! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>2) <b>Crunch the numbers on your health insurance plan</b> - My hubbs is a teacher in Arkansas, so our insurance is TERRIBLE. &nbsp;However, we were able to cut nearly $600/month by going with the high&nbsp;deductible&nbsp;plan and a Health Savings Account. &nbsp;The zero&nbsp;deductible&nbsp;plan was $1000/month for a family, and the $3000 max&nbsp;deductible&nbsp;plan is $230. &nbsp;We put $200 back each month into a tax free Health Savings Account (HSA), bringing our total to $430/month. &nbsp;Don't let the giant&nbsp;deductibles scare you, plan for them. &nbsp;The plans offered to you may not work out this way, but make sure you add it up before you commit for another year. <br /><br />3) &nbsp;<b>Cut cable</b> - &nbsp;60-ish channels in our area run about $55/month after tax. &nbsp;No extras, no DVR, just extended basic. &nbsp;We stream Netflix and Hulu through the PS3 for $15/month total. &nbsp;No commercials on Netflix, and limited on Hulu, no storage&nbsp;limits, plus&nbsp;the ability to pause each movie or series and go back and forth between everything, makes it better than DVR. &nbsp;Since most DVR services and equipment rentals run $10-$15/month, I feel it's a good trade. &nbsp;We've added Amazon Prime as well ($6.25/month), but not just for the shows and movies. &nbsp;More on that in a bit. I know....<i>husbands need their ESPN</i>. &nbsp;It was a hard sell at our house in the beginning, but with smart phones, and super fast internet, my hubby was able to adjust. &nbsp;Now with each professional sports offering it's own supply of internet streaming games, you can pick and choose what you want and still save quite a bit of money. &nbsp;I've also found that when the big games roll around, friends with cable are more than happy to have company for the games...especially if you offer to bring treats :)<br /><br />4) <b>USE AMAZON SUBSCRIBE &amp; SAVE!</b>! - &nbsp;All of our diapers and wipes come straight to our door, every month, free shipping, with 5-15% off the bulk prices (I'm honestly unsure how they decide what discount you get. &nbsp;I got 15% before we had Prime, but when I looked it up, it said save 5%). &nbsp;No more running out of diapers. &nbsp;No more lugging giant boxes from the shelf to your overflowing cart, to your too full car, and into your house along with the kids and groceries. &nbsp;They just show up at your door. &nbsp;You can change your delivery date, or skip deliveries any time you want from your amazon account. &nbsp;Here's another place where Amazon Prime is great. &nbsp;If you sign up for the free Amazon Mom program, have Amazon Prime, AND Subscribe &amp; Save on diapers and wipes, you save 20% on all diapers AND get free shipping! &nbsp;The Math on size 4 diapers:<br /><span style="color: #e06666;"><u>Scenario </u>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <u>Price per diaper</u> &nbsp;<u>#of Diapers in Pack</u> &nbsp; &nbsp;<u>Price per Package</u></span><br />Diapers at Dollar stores &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$0.37 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;27 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $10<br />Buy in bulk while grocery shopping &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $0.28 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 190 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$53<br />Subscribe &amp; Save saving 10% &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$0.22 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 190 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $42.47*<br />Amazon Prime+Mom+Subscribe &amp;<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Save saving 20% &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$0.19 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 190 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $36.76*<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><i>*Amazon orignal price of 190 count is $47.19</i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Soooo, both my girls seemed to go through diapers like crazy. &nbsp;We did the buy at the grocery store method with Kyndall, and seemed to always be grabbing $10 packs from the dollar store when we did not plan well. &nbsp;Saving nearly 50% per diaper, AND having them dropped at my doorstep has been FANTASTIC this time around. &nbsp;Highly recommend this money, time and sanity saver!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5) <b>Tithe</b> - Save money by spending it? &nbsp;Whaaa? It's a God thing, plain and simple. &nbsp;Malachi 3:10 spells it out <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">Bring the whole tithe</span><a data-resourcename="&quot;niv2011&quot;" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv2011/Malachi%203.8%E2%80%9310#footnote3" rel="popup" style="background-color: white; color: #006ca6; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;">g</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">&nbsp;into the storehouse,</span><a data-resourcename="&quot;niv2011&quot;" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv2011/Malachi%203.8%E2%80%9310#footnote4" rel="popup" style="background-color: white; color: #006ca6; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;">h</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">&nbsp;that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">&nbsp;Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates</span><a data-resourcename="&quot;niv2011&quot;" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv2011/Malachi%203.8%E2%80%9310#footnote5" rel="popup" style="background-color: white; color: #006ca6; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;">i</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">of heaven and pour out</span><a data-resourcename="&quot;niv2011&quot;" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv2011/Malachi%203.8%E2%80%9310#footnote6" rel="popup" style="background-color: white; color: #006ca6; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;">j</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">&nbsp;so much blessing</span><a data-resourcename="&quot;niv2011&quot;" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv2011/Malachi%203.8%E2%80%9310#footnote7" rel="popup" style="background-color: white; color: #006ca6; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;">k</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">&nbsp;that there will not be room enough to store it." &nbsp;I can't explain it, but I know from our personal experience and the experiences of close friends, when we give God what He's asked us to, He takes care of us. When we disobey, times are tight. &nbsp;It is what it is :P</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">6) <b>Pay off your car</b>&nbsp;<b>ASAP</b> - I know good old Dave wouldn't agree here, but I'm a little middle of the road with Dave Ramsey. &nbsp;I think it's great to encourage our charge-it generation to get out of debt, but when his video has him on stage, seemingly filled with the Holy Ghost over having six million dollars waiting in retirement, I feel like that's loving money too much. &nbsp;I won't get any further into my Ramsey rant...not tonight. &nbsp;He's helped thousands of people straighten their finances, and that really is wonderful. &nbsp;....anyway. &nbsp;We decided to focus on paying off our cars before other debt because of the ratio of what we owed compared to what we paid per month. &nbsp;Please note we buy used, non-loaded vehicles and have never spent over $10000 on a car (which unfortunately won't be the case after our next purchase of a 7-seater :P). &nbsp;The payment on our Envoy was $300 + $160 in full coverage insurance. &nbsp;After making 2 years of payments we owed about $6,000, which was close to what we got back on taxes the last year before I was self-employed (Ugh. &nbsp;Hate tax time now :P). &nbsp;We put our savings and tax return to the vehicle, cut down to liability ($40/month), and instantly had an extra $420 to put toward debt and savings. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">Of course, liability isn't for everyone. &nbsp;I will be on high doses of blood thinner the rest of my life, so I am an extremely cautious driver. &nbsp;Liability has worked for us, and saved a ton of money. &nbsp;However, if we had maxed out our credit line and purchased the $35,000+ vehicle, the situation would be completely different. &nbsp;Ramsey is right on target when he says to buy used and avoid "buying a vehicle you don't need to impress people you don't know."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;">Please, please know that I realize these strategies won't work for everyone. &nbsp;The important thing is to decide where you want to splurge (for me it's clothes for my girls), and where you want to save. &nbsp;Live within your means, whatever they are. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">So. &nbsp;Here's the breakdown of how much we've cut out in the last three years:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <u>&nbsp;Item </u>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Original&nbsp;Amount</u> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Current Amount</u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Income based repayment on student loans &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $400 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$70</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Changing Health Insurance Plans &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1000 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $430 w/ HSA</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Cutting cable and DVR &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$70 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $15</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Discount diapers to my door &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;around $70+gas and time &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $38&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Paying off both cars &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $800 (2 cars, 2 FC insurances) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$100 Liability</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<b>TOTAL &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2340 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $653</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><b>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"> &nbsp;$1687/month reduction</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 24px;"><br /></div></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-40240437022860117572013-02-01T20:39:00.000-08:002013-02-01T20:39:50.201-08:00Just Do It AlreadyFall 2012 was rough for me.<br /><br />Hormone induced depression, selling-moving-building-moving, $1500 health insurance deductible met for Kamryn in 45 days, extremely tragic family situations, curled up in bed crying at least twice a week, ROUGH. &nbsp;Digress with me...<br /><br />I've decided this will be our last baby. Not because of the two shots a day during pregnancy, or the fact another would make four (I'd love to adopt later, if the hubbs would ever allow it), and not even because we don't have the funds for a fourth child at this point. &nbsp;I am going to put the skids to child bearing because of what the first trimester does to me. &nbsp;I'm moody, I'm dark, I'm (even more) cynical, I have trouble getting any work done...house or business, and I'm just not a fun person to be around. <br /><br />Kids need a fun mom to be around. &nbsp;Hubbs needs a fun wife to come home to.<br /><br />They all need clean clothes in their closets, and home cooked meals (at least for the most part). <br /><br />Of course my girls and man had clean clothes and food, but our life was so chaotic, and I simply could not cope with the stresses of sell/move/build/move on top of the family heartaches. &nbsp;Couldn't do it. &nbsp;I had to drop something, or it was all going to crush me.<br /><br />So I dropped the business for one month.<br /><br />I didn't post to the Facebook business page for over four weeks. &nbsp;I didn't market a single promotion. &nbsp;I got all my deliveries done in time for Christmas, and I turned all my focus to healing and family. <br /><br />We moved in the newly built house the second week in December. &nbsp;I was so anxious to get our tree up since this is the first Christmas Kamryn really participates in, and I couldn't wait to see everything up in our Home. Next, I organized the kitchen. &nbsp;I LOVE cooking in this kitchen. &nbsp;I designed the layout myself, and everything is just a couple steps away, there is plenty of counter space, my range is a beast, and it's entirely open to the kitchen/dining area, so I can keep an eye on Kamryn Faith (Kyndall is usually helping me). <br /><br />I spent 3 straight weeks cooking, cleaning, and crying. &nbsp;God began speaking to me in every little thing, and through every person I came in contact with. &nbsp;I built some serious walls a couple years ago that I have been only slightly peeking over ever since. &nbsp;God was sick of it. &nbsp;Honestly, my soul was, too, but my hard heart was putting up support posts.<br /><br />I'm sure I'll get into details about this trying season slowly. &nbsp;It's too much for one post, and it's too hard to get out all at once. &nbsp;I'm a pretty private person with issues of my life, and relay them to maybe 5 or 6 people at most. &nbsp;That trait is a large reason why I haven't written on my blog in so long. &nbsp;I am afraid of sounding whiny, or braggy, or mean, or fake, so I don't say anything. &nbsp;But through my last life season, God has blown open so many truths, and my walls are down, and I'm me again.<br /><br />Just me.<br /><br />Broken, bossy, impatient, impulsive, constantly creative, manic, me. &nbsp;Sometimes I may come across as whiny, and readers who are going through a more difficult life period will be annoyed. &nbsp;Sometimes my ideas, or projects may seem like I'm super mom. Believe me, I'm not. &nbsp;Sometimes people may think I sound rude, callus, or judgmental. &nbsp;Sometimes that may be true, but I'm praying my words on this blog are guided by what God is doing in <i>my </i>life and <i>my </i>heart. <br /><br />I'm simply going to do this thing. &nbsp;This big, exciting, documentation of my home, life, family, and career is going to happen. &nbsp;I'm looking into a clean, simple blog redesign to reflect my inner redesign and clean heart. &nbsp;I want to be as genuine as I can be, and I want my little ladies (and upcoming little man) to have something to look back on, and know how much I love them and our lives together. &nbsp;I want to be a great wife and partner to my husband. &nbsp;I'm sure he wants me to write more, so that I'll quit gabbing his ear off....constantly...without end. &nbsp;{Why couldn't the verse read "Talk to your husband without ceasing"? &nbsp;I am much better at talking to him, than praying. &nbsp;Another trait that needs adjustment!}<br /><br />So, that's that. &nbsp;Here we go :)Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-51220308307641700272012-10-26T16:38:00.000-07:002012-10-26T16:38:19.541-07:00Michaela | Senior 2013 Jonesboro, Arkansas Senior Photographer<div style="text-align: center;">Michaela is one of the most confident, genuine teenage girls I've met in a long time. &nbsp;I was so impressed with her passion to seek God, and her sweet spirit!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was so much fun working with her....no wonder the pictures look this great :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLY2b4KwSas/UIsdmzo3qCI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/LrMoBMkehTo/s1600/BLOG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLY2b4KwSas/UIsdmzo3qCI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/LrMoBMkehTo/s640/BLOG1.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDiwTVB7lKI/UIsdpKyGtuI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Fvj98mEevwA/s1600/BLOG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDiwTVB7lKI/UIsdpKyGtuI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Fvj98mEevwA/s640/BLOG2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffJOdMzdrEs/UIsdqvuITbI/AAAAAAAAAaM/i98BxxBOmCE/s1600/BLOG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffJOdMzdrEs/UIsdqvuITbI/AAAAAAAAAaM/i98BxxBOmCE/s640/BLOG3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5ta5e5Ta-0/UIsdr9Jw6ZI/AAAAAAAAAaU/nsqfUUu7mw8/s1600/BLOG4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5ta5e5Ta-0/UIsdr9Jw6ZI/AAAAAAAAAaU/nsqfUUu7mw8/s640/BLOG4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UESOVc9HzP8/UIsds4UXgFI/AAAAAAAAAac/b78-oYIGbos/s1600/BLOG5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UESOVc9HzP8/UIsds4UXgFI/AAAAAAAAAac/b78-oYIGbos/s640/BLOG5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqxJyrlpFiw/UIsdtxzow1I/AAAAAAAAAak/mCL0Bxb785U/s1600/BLOG6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqxJyrlpFiw/UIsdtxzow1I/AAAAAAAAAak/mCL0Bxb785U/s640/BLOG6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks again, Michaela!</div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-75963471907555434772012-10-25T09:56:00.000-07:002012-10-25T09:56:41.692-07:00Announcing Our New Addition<div style="text-align: center;">That's right! &nbsp;We are having baby Richey #3, and could not be happier to let everyone know! &nbsp;The baby is due in late May, giving us a couple months to adjust to life with three kiddos before school starts in August. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Annnnnd I WILL NOT be pregnant all Summer! &nbsp;Praise that Lamb!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We wanted to wait as long as possible to announce our news to the all. &nbsp;Kyle wanted to wait until we knew if it was a boy or a girl. &nbsp;Yea. &nbsp;Right. &nbsp;I'm not one of the lucky ones who look fantastic through pregnancy, and I've learned that with each pregnancy, you show 62% faster. &nbsp;It's a fact. &nbsp;As the weeks went by, we slowly began telling people...our closest friends...our parents....then Kyndall. &nbsp;She kept it a secret for a week, then could keep it no longer. &nbsp;Poor thing is SO excited she can't stand it! &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, when we initially told her, she was. not. happy. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I have a weird low voice in this...it's embarrassing :P)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bYNeN98IbTw?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you hear Kam in the background? "Baby! Baby!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After 15 minutes of sobs, she finally calmed down enough to explain she was upset because the new baby would "not come out 1, and won't do anyfing!" &nbsp;The more she thought about it, the more her mind changed. &nbsp;Now she can't wait to "hold dat new baby and give it love, cuz I'll be five!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So! &nbsp;There it is....we are crazy....but we are basking in our crazy, and loving every minute of it! &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh....and we are looking at mini vans :S &nbsp;For some reason, that makes me much more uncomfortable than three kids!</div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-80794461630940471652012-10-07T10:45:00.000-07:002012-10-07T10:45:17.059-07:00Kyndall's 4th Birthday Party<div style="text-align: center;">I had glorious ideas for my almost four year old daughter's fourth birthday party. &nbsp;Sun drenched, vintage inspired, viral-pin-worthy, ideas. &nbsp;Shabby chic table clothes, foo foo dresses, tea sets, old chandeliers on trees, and adorable 4 year old children eating and playing in the haze of sunset.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I am raising a child who is opinionated, particular, detail oriented, and full of her own ideas. &nbsp;Poor thing doesn't realize what all she has to deal with in possessing that combination of traits. &nbsp;I realize it. &nbsp;I fully realize it because I possess these traits, and still struggle with reigning them in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kyndall had the following list of demands for her party:</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the gym at church</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jumpy Slide</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bouncy House</div><div style="text-align: center;">No cake</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cupcakes I 'design' myself</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hot Dogs</div><div style="text-align: center;">Orange Soda</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pinata</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See what I mean?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Good news is, her vision was soooo much less&nbsp;expensive&nbsp;than mine. &nbsp;Bad news, gym lighting is least optimal for photographs. &nbsp;Good news, I got to play with my new&nbsp;silhouette&nbsp;cameo...and fully understand how flippin' amazing it is. &nbsp;Bad news....nope, no other bad news :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First, the outfit..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_eZQYo9GHI/UHGxJNo1pgI/AAAAAAAAAZA/2kQ2EciutNA/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_eZQYo9GHI/UHGxJNo1pgI/AAAAAAAAAZA/2kQ2EciutNA/s640/blog5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The amazingly talented Kristin Morton made this for my little lady :) &nbsp;She's great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few details..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptxwO_XHhzs/UHGxmQ0wFxI/AAAAAAAAAZI/azgkCEQ7BfE/s1600/blogcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptxwO_XHhzs/UHGxmQ0wFxI/AAAAAAAAAZI/azgkCEQ7BfE/s1600/blogcollage.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Silhouette&nbsp;Cameo made the cupcake sleeves, Happy Birthday Kyndall sign, the take home boxes and 'thank you' tags. &nbsp;I used paper from a card stock pack I purchased from Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon. &nbsp;I paid like $9 for a million adorable sheets of card stock. &nbsp;Kamryn lived in the jumpy house :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cupcake toppings...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7pOdFWHhhc/UHGzybGjFxI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Rh7SAd0Nr4E/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7pOdFWHhhc/UHGzybGjFxI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Rh7SAd0Nr4E/s640/blog4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Senorita Silhouette cut the labels for all the toppings and food, too. &nbsp;I used cake pop sticks and scotch tape to turn the labels into signs. &nbsp;Nothing fancy, but I think they turned out pretty cute :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6TWrocDoV8/UHG0ltAO0tI/AAAAAAAAAZY/OSuBgTBU4kw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6TWrocDoV8/UHG0ltAO0tI/AAAAAAAAAZY/OSuBgTBU4kw/s640/blog3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Annnnnd the Birthday Princess :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-su3W-LnY7ik/UHG1bqNJkxI/AAAAAAAAAZg/AkHJAFvHP_I/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-su3W-LnY7ik/UHG1bqNJkxI/AAAAAAAAAZg/AkHJAFvHP_I/s640/blog2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sun and tea be darned...she was happy. &nbsp;She even said it was the best birthday party ever...so what could be better?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7cC2Gr-mzw/UHG2i0xOC3I/AAAAAAAAAZo/zl-QjUbiUDs/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7cC2Gr-mzw/UHG2i0xOC3I/AAAAAAAAAZo/zl-QjUbiUDs/s640/blog1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love her more than the world :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-59758682081219646142012-09-29T08:20:00.001-07:002012-09-29T08:21:04.553-07:00Chase | Paragould, Arkansas Teen Photographer<div style="text-align: center;">I had a fantastic time shooting Miss Chase. &nbsp;She and her parents are so warm and friendly, so it made the shoot sail flawlessly. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course it didn't hurt that she is&nbsp;absolutely&nbsp;stunning in every way! &nbsp;Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4IO1gehq0s/UGcRoPiXUkI/AAAAAAAAAYs/wkP9UC9MCsg/s1600/e255-blogboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4IO1gehq0s/UGcRoPiXUkI/AAAAAAAAAYs/wkP9UC9MCsg/s640/e255-blogboard.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-36214000735973214372012-09-28T20:52:00.000-07:002012-09-28T20:52:31.993-07:00Our Transient WeeksOh by golly, it's been a while since I've written. &nbsp;Yes, yes...that is a gateway sentence to an explination, so if you don't care about my excuses, please skip down a paragraph :) &nbsp;Kyndall was super sick nearly 3 weeks ago, and stayed home the first three days of the week. &nbsp;Our closing date was moved UP a week [yes, up], from September 28th to September 21st. &nbsp;We not only moved, but TRADED houses, which turned out to be quite an undertaking. We finished that up Monday, and Monday evening Kyndall's fever shot up. &nbsp;She was sick Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so of course Kamryn was sick Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. <br /><br />We all have months like the K. Richey bunch had this September, 2012. &nbsp;I am not at all complaining about a single aspect of the last month, only explaining why I have not written, or posted from shoots much in the last three weeks. <br /><br />[my bad...you should have skipped to the third paragraph...now fourth ;)]<br /><br />The move we completed over the weekend is only a temporary move. &nbsp;Anyone who knows us well, would surely quip, "Haven't all your moves been temporary?" &nbsp;To many people, yes, but this move is temporary even to us! &nbsp;About 8 weeks in this house, then our home will be finished. &nbsp;Kyle has stated he plans to live out the rest of his days in this house....heh, ok :P &nbsp;Don't get me wrong. &nbsp;I do plan to live in this house for an&nbsp;unforeseen&nbsp;amount of years--not just months. &nbsp;It is going to be just right for us. <br /><br />I just...I just <strike>like</strike> love change. &nbsp;I need a certain degree of perceived wiggle room&nbsp;in our future plans.<br /><br />With this being the temporary home it is, we have vowed to only unpack necessities. &nbsp;I am loving this vow. &nbsp;It's like we turned into these efficient minimalists, who can easily locate items, quickly tidy up, and have enough storage space. &nbsp;It's like I'm&nbsp;organized. &nbsp;At least, I think this is how <i>organized </i>feels. &nbsp;My creativity greatly inhibits organization skills :( <br /><br />Even though I am no&nbsp;organizing&nbsp;pro, we have always had things a certain way. &nbsp;Not perfect, but nice. &nbsp;This includes having a bed frame on our bed from the time we were married. &nbsp;Unfortunately, the bedrooms in this house are a little small, and our ginormous bed frame refused to fit. &nbsp;Anywhere. &nbsp;So, the boxes and&nbsp;mattress&nbsp;are on the floor...&nbsp;surrounded&nbsp;by boxes of clothes. Today, I was quickly throwing on something a bit more presentable than Kyle's giant T-shirt and yoga pants for our date night. &nbsp;The window was half open, blinds angled up rather than straight, bed sloppy, and clothes hanging here and there on box lids, so I stepped onto the mattress for a better view. <br /><br />Something about that moment grabbed me. &nbsp;I felt like we were living in some tiny apartment somewhere in Europe. &nbsp;Goofy, I know, but the scene around me was so....so bad, haha. &nbsp;Despite it's disheveled appearance, I fell in love with it&nbsp;for this short season in our life. &nbsp;It's a break in&nbsp;consistency&nbsp; a pause in our routine, and a vacation from stressing about every little thing being presentable. &nbsp;The entire focus of this little rent house is our family, and the step we are in the process of taking; moving into a&nbsp;permanent&nbsp;house. &nbsp;[I am so bringing that focus to the new house] I felt happier and freer soaking all these realizations in than any other time I remember. &nbsp;Ever. <br /><br />If anyone...If the Lord Himself told me in 2006 where our lives would be in 2012, I would have snarled in His face. &nbsp;Kyle teaching? &nbsp;He barely likes to talk! &nbsp;Two--TWO children? &nbsp;Photography? &nbsp;Annnnd MARMADUKE? &nbsp;Ohhhh, the ignorance of a 21 year old bride. &nbsp;Ohhh, the places God took us to beat out our stupid.<br /><br />And there I was, mindlessly swaying on a mattress in the floor, gazing out a rented window, thanking God for his wisdom, guidance and provision. &nbsp;Kyle found his passion in teaching, I found &nbsp;a creative outlet in photography, we were given the two most precious gifts of all time, and we found our home waiting for us in Marmaduke. &nbsp;I'm sure I'll tell all about our moves, and dumb decisions, and God decisions, and things you don't care about later. &nbsp;For now, I'm just soaking in each day. &nbsp;I'm sitting still [for once] to soak in His grace...which is difficult for me to do :)<br /><br /><br />Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-64414250692465199142012-09-26T10:51:00.000-07:002012-09-26T10:51:12.485-07:00Hannah | Senior 2013 Paragould, Arkansas Senior Photographer<div style="text-align: center;">As I come closer to closing out my 20's, I have more and more moments that make me feel old.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently, Hannah's mom contacted me to do her senior pictures. &nbsp;I was so excited, because our families go way back, and I've known her parents my entire life. &nbsp;Once the excitement settled, I realized the last time I spoke to Hannah, she was sitting in a shopping cart...not being goofy.... but being about 7. &nbsp;Am I really that old? &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yup. &nbsp;I am. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I accepted over a decade had passed, and we scheduled the shoot :) &nbsp;Love how they turned out!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS-nHHv2gIw/UGNALzst8zI/AAAAAAAAAYY/JlxoGu2fO-k/s1600/e253-blogboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS-nHHv2gIw/UGNALzst8zI/AAAAAAAAAYY/JlxoGu2fO-k/s640/e253-blogboard.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-71247924044461194862012-09-13T08:42:00.000-07:002012-09-28T20:52:47.898-07:00Hadlee | 9 Months Trumann, Arkansas Baby Photographer<div style="text-align: center;">Pretty girly, pretty day, of course the result was pretty pictures! &nbsp;I've had so much fun watching Miss Hadlee grow up the last 6 months :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIGM7b_lIVw/UFH-jDM2FnI/AAAAAAAAAYA/VgSMSkxKEzw/s1600/e258-blogboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIGM7b_lIVw/UFH-jDM2FnI/AAAAAAAAAYA/VgSMSkxKEzw/s640/e258-blogboard.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-61500591929126935872012-09-12T15:26:00.000-07:002012-09-12T16:59:29.284-07:00Riley | Newborn Photographer Paragould, Arkansas<div style="text-align: center;">This little guy was such a pro. &nbsp;He slept, slept, snuggled to his big bro, slept, and let out one perfect cry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Made my day easy! &nbsp;So glad I got to meet Mr. Riley :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8EHOYZ2qkA/UFELjT8UkKI/AAAAAAAAAXg/vG_9pwti_-Y/s1600/e252-blog+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8EHOYZ2qkA/UFELjT8UkKI/AAAAAAAAAXg/vG_9pwti_-Y/s640/e252-blog+board.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Annnnd I have to share this one from Riley's maternity shoot :) &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UkyTUypSNc/UFELuhooPyI/AAAAAAAAAXo/1p6S1mkJB7Y/s1600/fb14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UkyTUypSNc/UFELuhooPyI/AAAAAAAAAXo/1p6S1mkJB7Y/s640/fb14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy your evening!!</div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-18969660199678038712012-09-12T15:02:00.001-07:002012-09-12T15:28:32.046-07:00The New LeafThree years ago, I took this picture..<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBxS9B3AVD8/UFDsmArJiMI/AAAAAAAAAXM/4UNh5uHng-k/s1600/leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBxS9B3AVD8/UFDsmArJiMI/AAAAAAAAAXM/4UNh5uHng-k/s640/leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like Daddy.</td></tr></tbody></table>I took it with an inexpensive point and shoot. &nbsp;The lighting is wrong. &nbsp;The shadows are wrong. &nbsp;There is no bokeh, no flare, no haze. &nbsp;It's just a moment that was adorable, and special, and entirely fleeting, and I caught it. &nbsp;I had absolutely no idea where my life would be in 3 years. <br /><br />Not quite one year ago, my little at home side business tripled. &nbsp;It outgrew my home in May. &nbsp;I added weddings this Summer. &nbsp;The times I set aside for Fall shoots filled up three months in advance. &nbsp;I was at a crossroad.<br /><br />Do I follow the growth of my business, or do I slow it down? &nbsp;I couldn't keep going like I was; kids at home 80% of the time, and working 30+ hours per week. &nbsp;I couldn't give my customers the attention or service I wanted to. &nbsp;Neither could I give my girls undivided attention, because I was SO behind. &nbsp;After much back and forth I've made a decision....I'm letting my business grow.<br /><br />With this decision comes some changes. &nbsp;I'm listing them with a brief explanation, so that my customers can better understand the direction I am taking my business.<br /><br /><b>The order minimum is now $200</b>. &nbsp;I very rarely have orders under $200, so this won't affect many people. &nbsp;I know most people unlikely realize how expensive it is to be a small business owner. &nbsp;Taxes take 35% or more (not including sales tax), the studio costs plenty, along with its&nbsp;maintenance, the high quality portraits I sell are priced no where close to $0.19 a 4x6 [in my dreams!!], keeping props new and updated costs, laundering newborn fluids off props and drops costs, advertising, website charges...you get it :) &nbsp;You factor in time for editing, ordering, accounting, customer service, marketing, blog posting, and you begin to understand how much goes into one shoot. I stress all this because I don't want anyone to feel like I am being unreasonable :) &nbsp;What I do is a combination of skill, experience, and natural talent. I give a little of my heart to each shoot :)<br /><br /><b>I will book $100 mini's at all times</b>. &nbsp;These are not styled mini's, just coming into the studio like a standard session, but only for 20 minutes, and a limit of 2 outfits if one subject, or 1 outfit per subject if more than subject. &nbsp;The mini's will have a small 10 picture album (5 color/5 black&amp;white), the copyright to these images is included, and will be downloadable as soon as they are available. &nbsp;No preview session with the mini's. &nbsp;I feel this gives some who may not be able to spend $300+, to still get a few perfect pictures of their little ones :)<br /><br /><b>Online Albums will expire after 10 days.</b> &nbsp;Albums can be reopened or extended for $15/week. &nbsp;They can be reopened at any time, and pictures will be kept for 2 years. &nbsp;After 2 years, the images will no longer be available. &nbsp;Images at 14 MB each, and 40+ per shoot take up a ton of space. &nbsp;Space isn't cheap! &nbsp;<b>I will be offering DVD slideshows for $10 for all old sessions for the next ten days ONLY. &nbsp;</b>That's 60% off, and after these days pass, the late and archival fees will apply, so if you want memories of these old, old shoots, make sure you take care of that in the next days :) <br /><br /><b>I'm adding Preview/Order sessions as part of my service!</b>&nbsp; At no additional charge! These sessions will take 30 minutes to one hour, and be held in my studio. &nbsp;We will book it when we have the portrait session. &nbsp;At the preview session, you will see your pictures for the very first time, soak them in, touch and feel a ton of products I offer, ask questions, and place an order if you wish. &nbsp;Ordering at this time is optional, but if you do place a minimum order at the preview session, you will receive 8% off your order. &nbsp;Additional orders can be placed before the album expires :) &nbsp;These sessions are more in line with the new leaf I'm turning...one-on-one customer service, and a custom experience for all!<br /><h2><br />These changes take affect for all shoots after today. &nbsp;All albums on the site that have already placed an order, or are more than 1 month old expire September 22, 2012.</h2><br />I feel these steps will take me closer to where I want to be. &nbsp;I want to make each customer feel special, while making a living, and making it worth my while to be away from my baby girls :) &nbsp;I'm so excited to see where we will be a year from now, and appreciate every customer who has given me the opportunity to work with them, capturing fleeting moments in their lives!<br /><br />Thank you for your support!!<br /><br /><br />Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-7318451234665287802012-09-12T12:40:00.001-07:002012-09-12T12:40:29.069-07:00Khloe | Baby Toddler Photographer Trumann, Arkansas<div style="text-align: center;">The last year went by much too fast :( &nbsp;It was a great year, but when time gets away from you, things like this happen...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDVZoPrytDc/UFDknJBpl9I/AAAAAAAAAWw/3GfRzBGr3w0/s1600/fbdip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDVZoPrytDc/UFDknJBpl9I/AAAAAAAAAWw/3GfRzBGr3w0/s640/fbdip.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Khloe is only a couple weeks younger than my baby girl, so her mommy (my childhood friend) and I consoled each other about our grown babies. &nbsp;Ohh...and she tore into her cake and cookie!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2UhnDuql6g/UFDk8KPDiaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/B2LOcOhnYAo/s1600/e254-blogboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2UhnDuql6g/UFDk8KPDiaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/B2LOcOhnYAo/s640/e254-blogboard.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for coming again, Brandy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-71282360555163289472012-09-11T22:20:00.001-07:002012-09-11T22:23:59.940-07:00One of Two KindsWhat a day.<br /><br />I don't think you understand....<br /><br />What. UHH. &nbsp;Day!<br /><br />Sparing all <strike>important</strike> details, Kyndall was incredibly ill this morning. &nbsp;For a couple hours, I was thinking the worst about whatever was going on inside that tiny little body. &nbsp;Ok...I usually do think the worst...but it was actually justified for a couple hours. &nbsp;We spent three hours, probably around $300, three outfits (puke. ew.), and three million tears at the doctor's office. &nbsp;I am so thankful I was able to move my shoots and hold my sick little lady when she needed me.<br /><br />Other excitement, accidents, trips to Marmaduke (can we puh-leeez move already??), and even some laughs&nbsp;occurred&nbsp;through this hectic day. &nbsp;I could barely keep my eyes open for a while...but now...I can't sleep due to a giant nagging question I'm trying to sort out.<br /><br />Will I ever feel like I'm giving love to my kiddos in equal doses?<br /><br />Kyndall went to daycare about 10 times from birth to 3. &nbsp;Kamryn has gone 10 times in the last month.<br /><br />Kamryn is a breast-fed baby, and is super healthy. &nbsp;Kyndall was not (3.5 week hospitalizations tend to end breastfeeding), and gets every cold and virus that comes her way.<br /><br />Kyndall is compliant, gentle, and compassionate. &nbsp;Kamryn is strong willed, rough, and hot tempered.<br /><br />I could continue the comparisons for days. &nbsp;They are SO different. &nbsp;How can the same two reproductive factories create two completely opposing models? &nbsp;Especially when they look nearly identical??<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSXTbJZBH58/UFAYCos53EI/AAAAAAAAAWc/yJqjjT6OE7w/s1600/0facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSXTbJZBH58/UFAYCos53EI/AAAAAAAAAWc/yJqjjT6OE7w/s640/0facebook.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honestly, these images don't do the similarities justice.</td></tr></tbody></table>Then I hear the Voice. &nbsp;"Kathryn, you cannot...CANNOT compare them!" &nbsp;It's not fair to either of them, it's not&nbsp;conducive&nbsp;to their love for one another, and it surely isn't helpful to your ridiculously manic mind. <br /><br />Kamryn adores and idolizes her big sister. &nbsp;Kyndall didn't have any kids to play with until she was 3.<br /><br />Kyndall stayed the night away easily because of my health problems. &nbsp;Kamryn has no idea how to function through the night without me or Kyle.<br /><br />Kyndall may have struggles with leading and standing up for herself. &nbsp;Kamryn will unlikely let anyone--she's not worried about size OR species (ask our friend's dog)--push her around.<br /><br />They are their own people. It feels to me like they should be the same. &nbsp;I understand that doesn't really make sense when I write it out, but I have to stop myself from falling into the assumption they should be alike since I gave both of them life. &nbsp;But they're not. &nbsp;They have positive and negative attributes that will cause them trouble, and lead them to successes throughout their lives.<br /><br />I have to teach Kyndall it is ok to tell on Kamryn when Kam pulls out a chunk of Kyn's hair. &nbsp;Yes, Kamryn may be in trouble, but sister, it's your hair!! &nbsp;I have to help Kamryn mold that little temper (one guess where that came from ;)) into patience and self control. &nbsp;I have to love them where they are, for who they are, and quit complicating the process. &nbsp;<b>Sooo, I feel if I love them in this manner...if I cater my love to them, and quit trying to make every action and comment even or fair, if my love is coming from the depths of my heart out of genuine desire for them to grow into God's will, my love will be equal. &nbsp;</b><br /><br />Who knows...I could be 100% wrong, but parenting is a journey. &nbsp;I learn a little bit more each day, and I have so many days ahead :)Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-30352375829837175712012-09-07T12:11:00.000-07:002012-09-07T14:24:38.542-07:00The Non-Pageant Mom<div style="text-align: center;">Before you get any ideas...I won't be spouting off my opinions in this post. &nbsp;I'm actually sharing Kyndall's first little pageant from&nbsp;Independence&nbsp;Day..</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYcbtvROzQ8/UEo-ntkptuI/AAAAAAAAAVg/DJ-VQ8CSl68/s1600/untitled-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYcbtvROzQ8/UEo-ntkptuI/AAAAAAAAAVg/DJ-VQ8CSl68/s640/untitled-9.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Daddy...Mommy was her escort :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I honestly just don't get pageants. &nbsp;I mean, from the mom perspective. &nbsp;I think it's the same way I don't get hockey, or others don't get The Office or basketball. &nbsp;Make sense? &nbsp;Public figures like this don't help...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbHJc9g5p2w/UEo_W-w6D8I/AAAAAAAAAVo/pXtwgre7Dxg/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbHJc9g5p2w/UEo_W-w6D8I/AAAAAAAAAVo/pXtwgre7Dxg/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.066666603088379px; text-align: right;">(Photo: Twitter/Sydney Long)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, as a little girl I did a few pageants, and had a blast. &nbsp;It was so much fun to wear a pretty dress, have all eyes on me {something I now haaaate}, and go to celebrate my loss after. &nbsp;I never won :P &nbsp;I'm a super competitive person, so when I accepted looks were not my strongest attribute, I never did another pageant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So. Fast forward a million years, and another million "Ohhh, she's so pretty! Does she do pageants?" comments later to the annual Marmaduke 4th of July Picnic, and Miss Liberty Bell pageants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dWXrh_fA8Q/UEpAtWHJGfI/AAAAAAAAAVw/2eHXtFZTURY/s1600/untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dWXrh_fA8Q/UEpAtWHJGfI/AAAAAAAAAVw/2eHXtFZTURY/s640/untitled-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorably quaint, right?</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">This pageant is what the pro's call "Natural", and the dress was Sunday attire. &nbsp;No flippers, or flappers, or whatever those false teeth things are. &nbsp;No spray tans. &nbsp;No jeweled dresses. &nbsp;Kyndall really wanted to participate {for the first time ever}, so we signed up. &nbsp;I put her in a cute little twirly dress, pulled her hair back, slapped in a borrowed bow, and never mentioned a crown, winning, trophies or judges. &nbsp;I told her we were going to go on stage and let everyone see her pretty dress.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And she was pumped. &nbsp;Super pumped to show off how it twirled...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HghoVKbxSQ/UEpBnfIZ1WI/AAAAAAAAAV4/dgVOVWn6ZFA/s1600/untitled-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HghoVKbxSQ/UEpBnfIZ1WI/AAAAAAAAAV4/dgVOVWn6ZFA/s640/untitled-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She was so precious out there. &nbsp;She smiled, waved, twirled, and said "HI, (insert name)!" to each familiar face she saw in the audience. &nbsp;She beamed. &nbsp;We went out on stage four separate times, and she wanted to stay out longer each time! &nbsp;After the last time, we were waiting for <b>The Results</b>. &nbsp;I'm not going to get into details, but I was so saddened by the reactions of some of the mothers in the back. &nbsp;Hateful remarks about girls who didn't know not to wear make-up, demands on their babies to "shut-up and be still", just rotten behavior. &nbsp;It saddened me because I felt like I understood their reactions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We each felt 100% confident our daughter was far and away the most beautiful girl in the competition. &nbsp;We wanted to win. &nbsp;I had played down the competition aspect completely to Kyndall because of my own crazy competitive nature. &nbsp;I have to handicap it or it consumes me. &nbsp;I feel the grumpy moms were just consumed with that desire to win, to prove to...I don't really know, the audeince?...that their baby girl was beautiful. &nbsp;The truth is, every girl in the pageant was beautiful. &nbsp;Absolutely&nbsp;beautiful. &nbsp;I began to regret the decision to let her do the pageant, fearing she would take a loss as a, "You aren't pretty enough." &nbsp;Instead, she was upset by the few mean spirits in the room, climbed in my lap, and asked, "Mommy, when can we leave?" &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, they opened the door and called out the winners, "1st Alternate, Contestant number one, Kyndall". &nbsp;She turned and looked at me with a furrowed brow, which obviously asked, "What were all those words they just said before my name??!" &nbsp;I told her she got to go out on stage one more time...again, she beamed as she {for real} sprinted to the end of the catwalk.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_cEQv7keuc/UEpEHJqsNYI/AAAAAAAAAWA/4HPQ-aFYQcY/s1600/blog+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_cEQv7keuc/UEpEHJqsNYI/AAAAAAAAAWA/4HPQ-aFYQcY/s640/blog+size.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, me? &nbsp;I'm juss Kyndall :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">When they gave her the tiny little trophy she had one question...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJHyvp91Fr4/UEpFIZ4NzvI/AAAAAAAAAWI/WKXsf-3tpGA/s1600/untitled-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJHyvp91Fr4/UEpFIZ4NzvI/AAAAAAAAAWI/WKXsf-3tpGA/s640/untitled-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Why did they give me a cup?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was just as excited about the gold sticker on the bottom as she was about 'winning'. &nbsp;Annnnd no...I did not correct my [then] three year old when she began telling family she "won at her pageant". &nbsp;I did, however, make sure to mention that we had fun. &nbsp;Her competitive side will grow and show it's head soon. &nbsp;I have no desire to rush it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-3374849306202526152012-09-07T09:41:00.000-07:002012-09-07T14:22:31.710-07:00Eli | Kennett, Missouri Baby Toddler Photographer<div style="text-align: center;">Ohhh, the rain. &nbsp;All Summer I was blessed with never even checking the weather. &nbsp;Then, late August, the rain came. &nbsp;Eli's sweet momma was super flexible and drove 30 miles South on a sunny Sunday to prevent a sour cake ;) &nbsp;Eli is a doll! &nbsp;I'm am SO glad I got to capture those amazing little eyes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsopa8YX4pU/UEojZNMlZSI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/IGrGVLeiyBo/s1600/e256-blogboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsopa8YX4pU/UEojZNMlZSI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/IGrGVLeiyBo/s640/e256-blogboard.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461308868678120381.post-51438249848965112982012-09-04T08:36:00.000-07:002012-09-04T08:36:34.579-07:00Wrigley | Paragould, Arkansas Newborn Photographer<div style="text-align: center;">A couple months ago, I was able to reconnect with a sweet couple I've known since high school. &nbsp;We had such a great maternity session...here's a peek..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-td79eKxWa-s/UEYe58XhtYI/AAAAAAAAAU4/vUa-BdbbEVY/s1600/blogpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-td79eKxWa-s/UEYe58XhtYI/AAAAAAAAAU4/vUa-BdbbEVY/s640/blogpic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This beautiful baby is oh-so-much cuter in real life, eh? &nbsp;Mr. Wrigley Jett was a great subject, and his momma and daddy brought so many fun props! &nbsp;Enjoy!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTGyhfon3J4/UEYe8rXpwMI/AAAAAAAAAVA/JTIDG8bnL5w/s1600/blogboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTGyhfon3J4/UEYe8rXpwMI/AAAAAAAAAVA/JTIDG8bnL5w/s640/blogboard.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathrynnoreply@blogger.com0